Hot Topics:

Outdoors: Birders are watching, counting once again

By Bob Marchio

Posted:
06/25/2014 08:09:43 PM EDT

Our feathered friends are constantly under scrutiny, not only by expert ornithologists and biologists, but also by watchful bird enthusiasts. Their sightings may be on a special birding trip or just at a backyard feeder.

This weekend (June 27-30) The Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology (PSO) is holding its first "Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Blitz" (PAB3). The blitz is a concentrated effort to put together information on the state's breeding bird population.

Much like the Great Backyard Bird Count, basically held during winter months, the PAB3 will count species in warmer climates when birds are actually breeding and offer confirmation of nesting species.

Blitz begins on Friday and ends Monday. A bit more effort and birding skills will be required during this event. The society is offering some prizes but, say organizers, "the biggest prize will be the fun of doing the blitz and finding out about birds where you go."

Participants will be required to record their findings on the PSO website, "eBird." Recordings will be a bit more detailed and organizers are suggesting including breeding codes. A list of 19 different codes to provide more info on the sightings — such as nesting, feeding and flying. The codes are the same used for the "Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania." The codes and Blitz instructions are available at: http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1006850.

Advertisement

Observations using the codes will be much more beneficial. Since this blitz is timed in late June, there should be many opportunities to confirm nesting by finding young or adults feeding young. And, some species that nest multiple times can be quite active and vocal in late June. Many species are singing or being territorial at this time of year so breeding codes can be easy to add.

The PSO says it "has been deeply involved with bird projects from its inception. The PSO grew out of the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania. Many members participated in the PSO Special Areas Project that collected data on the state's public lands much like eBird does today. The Winter Raptor Survey has been very popular with members for many years. And, PSO members were critical to the success of the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania, now a published and critically acclaimed book."

DOE PERMITS &GT;&GT; Just a reminder for Pennsylvania hunters, the start of the antlerless deer license sales will be here soon.

Applications for antlerless deer licenses, which accompany the purchase of the 2014-15 hunting license, are available at license issuing agents or at the Pennsylvania Game Commission offices or the agency's Website. The new hunting licenses are on sale now.

Applications for antlerless deer licenses must be sent by mail using official pink envelopes available from issuing agents or game commission offices.

County treasurers statewide on July 14 will begin accepting antlerless license applications from Pennsylvania residents. Nonresidents can apply starting July 28. Beginning Aug. 4, treasurers will begin selling the remaining unsold licenses for any wildlife-management unit for which licenses remain available. A second round of unsold license sales will begin Aug. 18.

BODY CAMERAS &GT;&GT; Pennsylvania's wildlife conservation officers and waterways conservation officers will now be wearing "body cameras" while performing their official duties for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Approval for the safety devices came on the approval of House Bill 2178 by the state House of Representatives. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams).

Body cameras are mobile recording devices that can be clipped to a WCOs uniform and function similar to dashboard cameras installed in most law enforcement vehicles. The cameras are considered more suitable for WCOs ,who many times are patrolling on foot.

In a news release, Moul said: "Wildlife and Waterways Conservation Officers routinely encounter dangerous situations on the job. Tragically, Adams County Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a felon in illegal possession of a firearm in 2010. I believe the presence of body cameras may help to deter such crimes and would aid law enforcement in their investigations."